Many appointments at the Penzberg vaccination center are free - Omikron has not increased the demand

Created: 01/01/2022, 10:02 AM

From: Franziska Seliger

The vaccination center in Penzberg is currently open once a week (symbol photo).

© Bernd von Jutrczenka / dpa

Booster vaccinations are currently considered to be the best protection against the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

But in Penzberg the vaccination center in the town hall is currently only open once a week.

While some citizens react with incomprehension, those responsible give reasons for it.

BY FRANZISKA SELIGER

Penzberg

- At the beginning of September, the Johanniter started operating the new branch of the Peißenberg vaccination center in the Penzberger Stadthalle, which they had previously operated in the old gym at the Bürgermeister-Prandl primary school.

But while those wishing to be vaccinated could be vaccinated in late summer and autumn from Monday to Saturday between 2pm and 6pm and without prior notification in the town hall, an appointment is now necessary at "impfzentren.bayern".

In addition, the vaccination branch is currently only open on Saturdays between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. - in view of the rapidly spreading Omikron variant and the politicians' call for booster vaccinations, it is absolutely incomprehensible, as an elderly woman from Penzberg criticized.

Limited opening hours: "Quite a sign of poverty"

The fact that the vaccination outpost was only open to such a limited extent, "I think that is quite an indictment for such a stinking rich city like Penzberg," says the woman, who does not want to be named. She came to the town hall about two weeks ago on a Saturday “because I really wanted to get the third vaccination”. But there was already a "long queue" of people waiting there. Absolutely, she says, the Penzberg vaccination center has to extend its opening hours. “The whole week has to be vaccinated.” In addition, special vaccination campaigns are needed, which the city has to organize. In other municipalities there are also special vaccination days, criticizes the Penzberger, and cites as an example a special vaccination campaign that recently took place in Murnau, because: "People want to be vaccinated", she is convinced.

According to Christian Achmüller, the demand for vaccination appointments is low

But the demand from Christian Achmüller shows a different picture.

The fact that the Penzberg vaccination center is currently only open on Saturdays is simply due to the low demand for vaccination appointments, explains the head of the vaccination center in Peißenberg.

For example, 80 vaccination appointments are currently (as of December 28) still available for Saturday, January 8th - the next opening day.

In view of this fact, Achmüller sees no reason to extend the opening times.

The spreading Omikron variant did not lead to any increased demand for vaccination appointments in Penzberg, he says.

Booster vaccinations are currently being carried out “mostly” in the town hall.

You can't choose which vaccine you get injected here - unlike in September.

At that time, the Johanniter had all vaccines in stock.

According to Achmüller, “mostly” Moderna is currently being vaccinated in Penzberg due to the current regulation of the Biontech vaccine.

Children under the age of twelve could not be vaccinated in Penzberg.

There are special vaccination appointments for them at the Peißenberg vaccination center, for which one can only register in advance by telephone - on 08803/4929700.

Permanent operation of the Penzberg vaccination outpost is open

Achmüller is currently unable to say with certainty whether the vaccination branch in Penzberg will continue to be operated in view of the current low level of demand.

"We will currently continue to operate it," he emphasizes.

That applies at least to the month of January.

And then?

"We'll decide at short notice."

That the vaccination station in the town hall could be completely closed is out of the question for the city.

At the moment, “no plans to close,” emphasized town hall spokesman Thomas Sendl when asked.

Like Achmüller, he justifies the limited opening times with the low demand for vaccination appointments.

As far as the special impaction requested by the Penzberg citizen is concerned, such an impact is "conceivable" in principle, according to Sendl after consulting Mayor Stefan Korpan - but at the end of January at the earliest.